Always Trust

Today, I'm re-posting one of my posts from last year on the subject of "trust", which is the topic word over at Faith Barista, JamWithMe Thursday. 

As a whole, I usually have felt like I have overcome negativity, but learning to trust and having a positive attitude often seem to collide with each other for me when I'm faced with them together, especially when things aren't going well in my life. It's amazing how praise and gratitude can be so easily influenced by my circumstances (or even by my mood). 

 

Source: be-the-change.tumblr.com via Ann on Pinterest

I've tried to write down at least one thing every day that I'm grateful for. I've been doing this for almost a full year now, and still, there are days it's a great struggle. In fact, today is one of them. I've been racking my brain to write something down, but my mind keeps traveling to negative and worrisome thoughts.  I pray for God to take care of my every need and to give me peace about it, but then I struggle to trust Him fully with it. My mind almost has a mind of it's own, if that makes any sense. I know Satan wants my mind and my life, and the only way I know to battle against him is on my knees!

I'm still working on my gratitude list. Today, I may not be able to write anything inspiring down, but I am thankful for one thing for sure.....God is our conqueror and more. That reminds me of the Scripture verse - Romans 8:39

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

  (source)

 

Source: be-the-change.tumblr.com via Ann on Pinterest

I'm also reminded, in order to keep my mind and heart grateful, that I must "pray continually." And "be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

So today I am praying, praising God (through reading the Word). I'm reading Psalms 103, to start. And I'm remembering that God is my conqueror!

 

(source)

Sun and Moon

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.      (Psalm 138:3)

He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. Psalm 104:19)

I took these pictures  with my digital camera while walking down my road. On the same day, at the same time, I looked to the west and the sun was setting. I turned directly around and looked to the east and saw the moon, high in the sky.(I wish I had a 360 degree camera!). It was breathtaking!!!

West

East

The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. (Psalm 50:1)

The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. (Psalm 74:16)

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)

Linking over at these blog hops:

Word-Filled Wednesday (Internet Cafe')

Brag on God Friday (Beholding Glory)

Heartprint Halellujahs (Heartprints of God)

On Your Heart Tuesday (A Pause on the Path)

Just a Touch of Whimsy.

I love shopping at the Goodwill store! Sometimes I find the most interesting things. I recently found some items that I hope to be decorating with for Springtime around my house. Both items add a touch of "Whimsy" to my decor. I started looking around and saw that there were several other items I already had that have a touch of whimsy in them. Here are the items I got at Goodwill.

Here they are next to my Easter Egg tree....I'm still working on that.

Here are some other "whimsical"  items I had sitting around...

This is a little ceramic teacup with roses that my hubby got me a few years ago.

 

I'm from Canadian decent. Several years ago I visited my relatives in Canada and bought these letters that spelled "hello" in French. The suitcase and makeup table teapots were another gift from my hubby.

I would really love to find a few "whimsical" tea cups to go with my teapots!(For some reason, they are hard to find here in my little part of the world.) Here are some I found online that I really liked,

Source: kollaj.typepad.com via Ann on Pinterest

Source: amazon.com via Ann on Pinterest

....plus I found these cute whimsical things:

Source: jillyshappyhome.com via Ann on Pinterest

Source: disneystore.com via Ann on Pinterest

When I think of whimsy, I think of the story of the Mad Hatter Tea Party

 in Alice in Wonderland, don't you?

Source: freecartoonwallpapers.net via Ann on Pinterest

And the spinning teacup ride....

Source: disney.wikia.com via Ann on Pinterest

Wouldn't it be fun to have a Mad Hatter Tea Party, with all the whimsy we can conjur up? I may have to try to plan one sometime. (The idea has me jumping with excitement!! I'm just a kid at heart!)

 Here are some awesome things to start planning a mad-hatter tea party...

Cute Invitations

Source: rosemarycompany.com via Ann on Pinterest

Adorable Decorations

Source: blog.thecelebrationshoppe.com via Ann on Pinterest

Gotta have some cake with your tea!

Source: cakecentral.com via Ann on Pinterest

I also love shopping at our local consignment and antique shop, called "Home Sweet Home". Today, I purchased a couple little birdies for the whimsical cage I got. I'll share them in another post.
O.k., I'm all "whimsied" out, for now. Hope your day is full of "whimsy and cheer" (Had one more whimsy left in me....hehehe.)

 Linking up at these blog hops:

Tea Time Tuesday (Rose Chintz Cottage))

Tea Cup Tuesday (Artful Affirmations)

A Return to Loveliness (A Delightsome Life)

Friends Sharing Tea (Bernideen's Tea time)

Tea Party Tuesday (Sweetology)

Are you Living an Ordinary or Extraordinary Life?

Source: quotebites.com via Ann on Pinterest

"We are all enamored by those who accomplish extraordinary feats… Superman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman and Batman and the ticket stubs prove it. Of the 25 top grossing films of all time, 17 fall into this category.
We must ask why? Because we were meant for more, and we know it."

 "Does your faith reflect the same audacity and power found in these stories? God loves to do the impossible, and He wants to use ordinary people willing to focus their prayers and attention on Him and His promises, not their circumstances. Don't settle for ordinary. Give up on complacency. Begin living the life of audacious faith God has created and saved you for. When you do, dreams are realized. Lives are transformed. The world is changed. And the impossible happens."

"All of us were meant for more, extraordinarily created and intended for a life that is anything but ordinary. Here is a book that that I found online, called "Extraordinary".  I haven't read it(yet), but this book looks like it is worth reading.

Source: Messenger International

This song touched my heart, too, So many people are settling for an "ordinary" life. But we know deep down, we do want more. We were made for more, through Christ!!!

As you begin another week, consider if you are living each day, each activity in your life, as a possible way to show God to others, either through words or actions. Are you ready to live every day like it is not just ordinary? We were made for the extraordinary!!!

As I write down the many blessings (Joy Dare) that God has shown me, may you be encouraged to do the same in your  own life!!!!

3 gifts that were “Plan B’s”

480.  Going to the library, instead of the coffee shop for wifi.
481. Reading a new book, instead of writing today.
482. Instead of chicken, we had shrimp with our stir-fry for dinner.

A gift at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
483. Honey Nut Cheerios :)
484. Strawberry banana yogurt- double :)
485. Family together

3 gifts white
486. Freshly cleaned sheets
487. Easter Lily
488. Freshly fallen snow

 3 gifts that changed today
489. The weather-from overcast and windy to pure sun!
490. Our driveway - an in ground basketball pole and hoop that fell down!(It was old and rusty)
491. My blog header - changed from winter to spring look.

A gift of tin, of glass, of wood.
492. Tin: An old cross

493. Glass: Statue of Jesus, taken up to heaven

494. Wood: My Easter Egg Tree

3 gifts before 11 a.m.

495. A text message from a friend
496. Waking up to the smell of fresh brewed coffee
497. Time in prayer and reading of the Word.

3 gifts seen as reflections

498. Reflecting on how the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas leads us now through His life, and to the upcoming time of His death and resurrection(Easter).

499. My garden pond...reflecting on what is looked like last year...looking forward to spring and seeing it again reflecting it's beauty.

500. On a cold winter afternoon, seeing the sun's reflection on my camera, as my hubby and I take a walk.

I'm halfway to 1,000 gifts!!!!! :)

Linking up at these blog hops:

Freshly Brewed Sunday(My Freshly Brewed Life)

Multitude on Monday(A Holy Experience)

Sharing His Beauty(Beauty in HIs Grip)

Hear it on Sunday/Use it on Monday(Graceful)

Bless a Blogger(Bible Love Notes)